$25K repaid so far by 3 in $1.3 million county overtime scandal

$25K repaid so far by 3 in $1.3 million county overtime scandal

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The three former Neshoba County employees who pleaded guilty to embezzling taxpayer monies in 2016 paid approximately $25,800 in restitution last fiscal year, according to the annual exemptions report issued by State Auditor Shad White.

In Fiscal Year 2020, the three combined to pay approximately $57,000, more than double what was repaid this last year.

All three were sentenced to 25 years in custody with 15 years suspended and 10 to serve in September 2016. They were released after serving one year in prison. 

Of the three, former purchasing clerk Julie Faye Russell accounted for the bulk of the total repaid with $17,4000 in payments for Fiscal Year 2021. 

In Fiscal Year 2020, Russell paid $5,634. She had been ordered to pay a lump sum from her PERS retirement account, which she previously did. 

A formal demand was initially ordered for $449,130.47 and an additional $15,000 was added upon release from probation. Her remaining balance is $230,334.33.

Former Comptroller Jill Watkins repaid $6,500 in Fiscal year 20201 after having repaid $50,827.34 in Fiscal Year 2020. 

The bulk of that repayment — $46,000, was a lump sum from her PERS retirement account. 

In addition to a formal demand of $459,630.65, Watkins was also ordered to pay an additional $15,000 after being released from probation. 

Her remaining balance is $393,814.21.

Former payroll clerk Tammy Gomillion repaid $1,900 during Fiscal Year 2021, after having only repaid $600 the year before. 

She was issued with a formal demand for $444,834.56 plus an additional $42,220.55 after being released from probation. She, too, had to pay a lump sum from her PERS account which she also previously made. Her remaining balance is $370,249.22.






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